We are excited to announce that SBDC can put many of the Inclusivity Commitment recommendations into action because SBDC is fortunate to have received funding from the CARES Act and the NH Community Navigator program.
NH Community Development Finance Authority has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to launch the NH Community Navigator Pilot Program. The program is designed to reduce barriers to accessing critical resources for small businesses, specifically for underserved businesses and communities.
As a community-based partner in the Community Navigator program, SBDC will focus on more effectively offering SBDC services to business owners of color. Our work will focus in the southern NH region where there is a higher percentage of diverse communities.
Long-time SBDC business advisor Andrea O’Brien will become our lead Inclusivity Commitment advisor. She will focus her expert every day advising and education more deeply within New Hampshire’s communities of color. In addition to this new role, she will still support SBDC’s Business Sustainability Program.
Andrea says, “I look forward to working for economic success for entrepreneurs of color. I am dedicated to helping them establish and grow their businesses for generational wealth.”
Kile Adumene, a well-known equity and racial justice consultant and community engagement practitioner, will work with Andrea and several community liaisons as a Community Engagement Coach. She will focus on creating authentic partnerships and enhancing communication with community leaders, groups and organizations. By developing these connections, we will amplify SBDC’s outreach and become a true, trusted resource in NH’s diverse communities.
Kile and the community liaisons will provide the connections to businesses of color, and Andrea will be the entry point to SBDC services and business advisor to many of the new clients. SBDC is excited to work on this new path to reach entrepreneurs of color and becoming their trusted resource.